Essay About Discrimination

Sexism, Institutional Discrimination, and Sexual Harassment Essay

Sexism, institutional discrimination, and sexual harassment are considered to be abuses of human rights and dignity. Despite these terms are very similar, being primarily based on human inequality, they are different in the way one party affects the other one.

Sexism is defined as a “discrimination or devaluation based upon person’s sex, as in restricted job opportunities” (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary). In other words, person is not hired because there are certain stereotypes. For instance, women were usually not allowed to obtain certain managerial positions because of their gender. Institutional discrimination often stands for the act of distinguishing or differentiating (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary).

Unlike sexism, it is not related to gender distinction. In fact, denial to hire some person without any reasoning is considered to be a kind of institutional discrimination. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that involves direct breaking of human rights (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary). Certain party involved in this illegal activity risks of bearing criminal responsibility.

In fact, primary difference between these terms lies in harshness of the abuse. Institutional discrimination can be hardly detected and, thus leads to some restrictions and obligations provided to the company. Sexism can effect company’s social image and bring a lot more limitations. Government can provide control over the firm suspected in sexism. Sexual harassment is considered to be a crime. Therefore, it is can not only effect corporation stratus, but also make individuals serve even the jail sentence.

Works Cited

1. “sexism.” Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2009.
   Merriam-Webster Online. 17 March 2009?<http:/ /www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/sexism>.
2. “industrial discrimination.” Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2009.
   Merriam-Webster Online. 17 March 2009?<http:/ /www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/discrimination>.
3. “sexual harassment.” Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2009.
   Merriam-Webster Online. 17 March 2009?<http://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/sexual harassment>.
4. Schickman, Mark. “Sexual Harassement”. <http:/ /www.abanet.org/genpractice/ magazine/1996/winter/w96shi.html>, 2009.